Orland Park To Host Pitch, Hit and Run Contest

The Village of Orland Park Recreation Department will hold its Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run Contest on Saturday, April 16 at the Doogan Park Ballfields, 14700 Park Lane.

"This is a great opportunity for kids to show their skills and possibly represent their community at the next level of competition," said Orland Park Athletic Supervisor Jack Savage.

Pre-registration and a signed waiver are required for the free event, open to girls and boys ages seven to fourteen. Participants must have reached the age at which they are competing by July 17, 2011. Check-in and warm ups begin at 8:30 a.m. on April 16 with the competition beginning at 9:00 a.m. The contest is limited to 200 participants and is open to all area residents.

"The Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run Competition is a national contest that encourages youths ages seven to fourteen to compete in baseball skills in a fun setting," Savage explained. Participants could potentially advance through four levels of competition, including local and sectional competitions. The national finals are held at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The pitch portion of the program gives each competitor six pitches to hit the designated strike zone target from 45 feet away. Competitors bat from a stationary tee for the hitting element of the contest and must run from second base to home for the running part of the contest. Sliding is not permitted.

"Everyone is invited to be a part of this competition, whether they're currently playing baseball, softball or no sports at all. This is a fun event for everyone and who knows? We may find another Pitch, Hit and Run winner right here, in Orland Park," Savage said.

Orland Park's Antonio Roselli won the nine and ten year old division for Orland Parks Pitch, Hit and Run 2009 Competition. He competed and won for his age level at the sectionals at the Windy City Thunderbolts Stadium. Roselli then competed at the team level competition at U.S. Cellular Field and finished sixth in the nation for his age.

Registration for the April 16 Pitch, Hit and Run Contest is available at the Franklin Loebe Center, 14650 South Ravinia Avenue and at the village's Sportsplex, 11351 West 159th Street. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 708/403-7275.